VR vs FPV Headset for Drones: What’s the difference?

This simple guide covers all you need to know about VR vs FPV headsets for drones. Makers often brand the term “immersive experience” around on their sales pages. It sounds impressive, but what does it mean—exactly? Well, it relates to flying drones in First Person View—usually shortened to FPV. Drone fliers can only have an “immersive” experience by wearing VR goggles or FPV headsets.

FPV lets pilots see what the drone’s camera sees in real-time. You can do this via LCD screens on remote controllers (RC) and computer monitors. The most common, though, is on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. But it’s goggles and headsets that really put you in the virtual pilot’s seat.

VR Headsets Defined

First off, sellers often use the term VR and FPV interchangeably when selling goggles. There are differences, though, and this introduction explains what they are.

So, VR or FPV? The next two sections define and breakdown the pros and cons of each. VR stands for Virtual Reality, and that translates to a computer-generated interactive experience. The simpler and cheaper VR headsets have always been a good choice, but now the cost of FPV goggles is falling. Another attraction of VR “mobile” headsets is their plug-n-play cross-compatibility.

Mobile headsets are shells with integral lenses that can accommodate most regular smartphones. VR headsets work with third-party VR apps such as Litchi, as one example. The app splits the phone’s screen into two halves, one for each eye. Such setups are inexpensive and provide an excellent introduction to the immersive FPV experience. They may also offer head-tracking of various degrees.

Pros and cons of VR Headsets

The pros of VR headsets include:

Considerably cheaper than FPV headsets

More compact and portable than FPV headsets

Basic apps provide up-down head tracking

Better apps provide full 360° control

The cons of VR headsets include:

Not all drones and drone brands work with third-party apps

Split screens usually result in poorer image quality

Third party apps can’t usually change vital settings

Using third-party apps may void a drone’s warranty with some brands

FPV Headsets Defined

First Person View FPV headsets cost more but offer extra benefits. They have low latency which means less delay compared to VR headsets. In fact, there’s no noticeable delay to the pilot when an FPV headset uses an HDMI cable. That’s especially useful when flying fast, or through and around obstacles. It’s also why FPV headsets are the preferred option for drone racing events.

The viewing quality is noticeably superior with FPV headsets. They’re also independent of mobile phones or controllers. This separation allows changes to various settings directly from the device. The higher quality and functionality of an FPV headpiece comes at a cost, though. They use more power than VR products, so most pilots also factor extra batteries into the price.

Some regular drones can fly fast but that’s not their main attraction. Speed, agility, and acrobatic ability typically appeal to racing quads. Only FPV headsets will do for serious race enthusiasts.

Pros and cons of FPV Headsets

The pros of FPV headsets include:

Low latency (little or no lag) with HDMI cables

More accurate for high-speed racing and dodging obstacles

Better, cleaner image quality than VR headsets

Independence from phones and controllers allows access to settings

The cons of FPV headsets include:

Bigger and bulkier to wear; not as portable

Use lots of battery power to function

Understanding Interpupillary Distance (IPD)

Interpupillary Distance—IPD for short—is easier to grasp than it sounds. IPD means the exact distance between the center of a person’s pupils. It’s significant because this distance differs between people. Drone goggles must let the wearer’s pupils sit correctly within the product’s exit pupils. Some products have a fixed IDP whereas others have an adjustable IPD. The latter is the better option.

Field of View (FOV)

The FOV is the area (amount) you can see through the goggles. It ranges with FPV and VR headsets from 25% to 45% depending on the product. Some drone pilots prefer a larger FOV as it offers a more immersive experience. Others like a narrower FOV because they don’t have to dart their eyes around as much to take in the view. There’s no perfect angle of view as it’s more of a preference.

The Conclusion

Consider FPV headsets if budget isn’t an issue and you want the ultimate FPV experience. Also, choose FPV headsets if you’re into competitive drone racing for the reasons outlined above. Ponder the standalone VR options if you’re on a tight budget or new to flying in First Person View. VR products are smaller, lighter, and don’t need extra hardware to run. They’re basically headsets with smartphones.

Make sure the product is compatible with your model. Reach out to one of the quadcopter community forums if you’re unsure. Moreover, look at any warranty issues that may conflict with new drones.

About this FPV VR Goggle Guide

This guide reviews various headsets for all budgets. All products are the result of extensive research and real user feedback. I also took the opinions of industry experts into consideration as well as my own. Each mini-review highlights the products main tech specs, its best points, and any downsides.

The first three on the page are Best Budget, Best Value, and the Top pick, in that order. The headsets and goggles below those are by price order, lowest to high.

Excellent Choice for First-Time FPV Pilots

The Arris VR-009 Mini cost less than 50 dollars at the time of writing. They’re an excellent choice for those jumping into the world of First Person View (FPV). The 3” 480×320 dot LCD screen is bright and comfortable on the eyes. It’s a low power consumption product with a working current of 360~400mA. The goggles have enough features to provide a rewarding first-time experience.

The battery is a built-in 3.7V/1200mAh LiPo and charges via universal USB charging. The supersensitive built-in 5.8GHZ Race Band receiver has 40 channels and fast auto-search. A double antenna setup helps to make the signal more stable than a single arrangement.

The Not So Good

The Arris VR-009 Mini FPV goggles are small, hence “Mini” in the title. They’re okay for most users, but folks with larger facial features may find them uncomfortable after a while.

A Serious Fatshark Contender?

Skyzone is a lesser known brand than Fatshark. Despite that, these 3D goggles with parallel lenses look like worthy challengers. The front-facing camera is convenient and practical. There are six essential control buttons located on the top with three either side. Pan and tilt head tracking is possible although some see that as a gimmick rather than a useful function.

The bottom has the image adjustments and access to the various physical connections. There are image adjustments, an HDMI in, USB, earphones, video in and out ports, and a 32GB SD card slot. The Skyzone SKY02S has a handy built-in 40-channel receiver. The frequency displays on the screen which seems much brighter than Fatshark and a tad shaper too.

The Not So Good

There’s a smart carry case included and a few faceplates to accommodate different wearers. Despite this, the Skyzone goggles are not quite as comfortable as Fatshark products. There’s no fan either—a standard feature on Fatshark and some other brands. The other downside is that the product doesn’t include a battery. Make sure you have one charged and ready to go if you choose these goggles.

The Value of Fatshark’s HDO Goggles

This is Fat Shark’s flagship HDO. They also happen to be the first ever FPV goggles to use an OLED display. The resolution is 960 x 720 (1024 x 800 screen), and that’s significant. The product comes with comfortable leather foam face padding and a smart carry case. Fatshark’s ventilation fan helps to prevent misting when there’s a temperature clash.

The Interpupillary Distance or IPD is adjustable (see introduction for more on IPD). The goggles have an SD card slot so that you can record all the FPV footage to a memory card. That’s especially useful if you crash your drone and need to locate it. Playback is also handy for FPV racers who like to go back and analyze their flight performance.

The newer HDO goggles cost around 100 dollars more than the HD3 model, but they have better displays. The resolution is also an improvement at 1080p support with HDMI.

The Not So Good

The Fat Shark HDO FPV goggles don’t come with an FPV module (receiver), so that’s an extra cost. It’s not all bad as detachable modules allow choices. FPV headsets with inbuilt receivers are not upgradable. The HDO goggles don’t have a 3D mode, and that will matter to some. The 37° field of view (FOV)—though not a con as such—is not going to be big enough for a few FPV pilots.

Fatshark Killers?

Some call the Eachine EV100 Fatshark killers, but I think that’s going too far. However, they are great value at less than 100 dollars (at the time of writing). They’re comfortable and light, weighing in at around 165 grams. There’s a thick foam face pad for a light-tight fit and a built-in cooling fan to prevent misting. The goggles have a USB charging port and an earphone jack on the side.

On the bottom are two pupil adjustments to allow wearers to fine tune the focus for their eyes. Another surprising feature for such inexpensive FPV goggles is the in/out lens focus. These combined lens corrections give left to right and forward to back adjustments.

The EV100 also shows what channel you’re using on its FPV screen. That’s a feature usually reserved for higher end goggles. They’re better than box options in the same price category and a perfect first choice. But Fatshark killer? No, not even close.

The Not So Good

The screen has a smaller resolution than costlier models, and it’s noticeable. The downside to smaller screens is a less immersive FPV experience. The goggles don’t have DVR either. That means there’s no option for recording FPV flight missions. The stock dipole antennas are ok but only just. It’s possible to upgrade using better third-party antennas (recommended).

Minus points: Some light leakage, cumbersome after a while, low average DVR

Why Consider the FXT VIPER HD FPV Goggles

These goggles arrive in a smart, protective, semi-hard shell case. There’s an adjustable overhead strap that’s more comfortable than wraparound support. Folks who wear glasses can use the VIPER HD FPV Goggles with comfort. The detachable 5” LCD screen has an 85% non-reflective finish. The product has an HDMI input as well as an AI input. There’s also a built-in DVR and a 32GB SD memory card slot.

Another nice touch is the tiny integrated speaker at the back of the unit. The built-in mirrors deliver the FPV image to the eyes in a similar way to how a periscope works. They do a pretty good job too. The battery sits at the back of the unit and distributes the weight evenly. The First Person View image is clear and on a par with other FPV goggles in its class.

There’s a lot to like with this product considering its price. Everything works as it should do and the controls are straightforward. The use of mirrors and lenses works well for increasing the focal distance. The cost is about right, but they’re not going to please everyone as the next section explains.

The Not So Good

Light leakage is a common complaint and mainly evident around the nose and upper cheek areas. Still, the light is minor and easy to ignore once you focus on the ride. Most folks find the goggles comfortable, but others think they’re awkward. Some even say they’re ugly and embarrassing to wear, but that’s subjective of course. The final con is the DVR which is on the low side of average.

Why DJI Pilots Love DJI FPV Goggles

DJI googles are big, but they look super cool, unlike some box-style FPV headsets. The product arrives in two pieces, i.e., headband and goggles. There’s even a MicroSD cable in the box. The headset has dual built-in speakers that deliver clear sound to both ears. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack if you prefer to use earbuds. Next to the audio jack is a MicroSD card slot and a micro HDMI port.

Flexible viewing preferences, cross-drone compatibility, and the DJI GO 4 app deliver FPV harmony. There’s also head tracking (HT) that works with supported drones. HT gives control of the camera gimbal movements and lets pilots steer the drone. You can also use the goggles to take off and land. However, you still need the controller for full control of the drone.

The Not So Good

The combined weight of headband and goggles is around two pounds. The design is such that the weight distributes evenly. The glasses sit in front of the face rather than strapped to it like other designs. That’s good, but it’s still 2lbs, and you certainly know it’s there. The other con is that some users report sporadic connectivity issues with the DJI GO 4 APP.

Redefining First Person View (FPV)

These futuristic-looking glasses are impressive at first glance. Epson thinks they redefine first person view, but I say not so fast. There’s a lot of remarkable technology going on here, but it’s not perfect—yet. More on that later. These smart glasses are so light and portable compared to typical FPV goggles. They’re also eyeglasses-friendly in that they fit comfortably over most prescription spectacles.

Epson’s Moverio BT-300FPV Smart Glasses come packed with technology. They have a built-in ambient light sensor and a front-facing 5MP camera to the wearer’s right side. The camera captures 1080p real-time footage at 30fps (frames per second).

On the left lens is a binocular for see-through viewing. The beauty of a transparent display is twofold. Pilots can view all the vital flight data and maintain a visual line of sight (LOS) of their drone. Left of that lens is a 9-axis motion sensor.

DJI Quadcopter Compatibility

The smart glasses work on the Google Android system which gives them extra versatility and appeal. For example, you can use them to browse the Web, stream content, and even play some games. As FPV glasses, though, the included controller has the DJI GO App preloaded. Mounting clips provide a secure connection between the dedicated BT-300FPV GPS controller and the DJI remote.

The BT-300FPV controller works seamlessly with the DJI Inspire 1 & 2, and Phantom 3 & 4 remotes. It can also work with Mavic Pro quadcopters but needs different clips (sold separately). So, is this augmented reality of the sky what FPV pilots have longed for? That depends who you ask (see below).

The Not So Good

The Epson Moverio BT-300 FPV Smart Glasses sound like the ideal FPV solution for DJI drones. For some they are. Others think they have a way to go before they make the grade. Yes, it’s easy to wear and record with these glasses. Alas, it’s not so easy to adjust the eyes to the new way of viewing. Some find the learning curve—and the need to retrain the eyes—frustrating and awkward.

Those who persevere find the glasses comfortable to wear and the Si-OLED display awe-inspiring. For me, the biggest letdown is no IPD (Interpupillary Distance) adjustment. Epsom says the glasses handle a wide range of IPD. That may be so, but user-adjustable IPD is undoubtedly better (see intro). There’s no Lens-to-eye adjustment either, but there is a nose piece that pushes them out further.

My last gripe is the price. They cost over 700 dollars at the time of writing this review, and that’s a fair chunk of change. They are technologically advanced, and the experience is incredible. Despite that, some critics think they need a few tweaks and enhancements before they’re perfect.

The good news is that Epson Moverio are “future-ready.” That means downloadable updates should continue to refine these Smart Glasses for DJI drones. Watch this space for any news.

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